Spend wiser in schools; spending system is failing

Overall education appropriations have more than doubled, increasing from $866 million in 1990 to $2.24 billion in 2002. The real story, therefore, that emerges from all of the facts, is that far more money is dedicated to education today than in 1990.
When our education budget doubles, yet adequate resources & materials are not reaching our teachers on the front lines, our education system is failing to support them. That many teachers spend hundreds of dollars out of their own pocket for their
classrooms is one sign that teachers are not receiving the support and resources they need. As governor, I will support our dedicated teachers by directing a greater share of the education budget toward actual classroom needs.
While I support increased funding for classroom education, I do not expect money alone to be the answer. Money is important, but what matters more are good ideas and the courage to implement those ideas.

Increase teacher pay to average or Okla. will lose teachers

Teacher pay in Oklahoma ranks an abysmal 48th in the nation. While starting salaries for Oklahoma's teacher are relatively competitive, their salaries increase slowly.
A $5,000 raise in another state is appealing and we lose another highly trained and talented teacher. If we are serious about keeping our teachers in Oklahoma, we must create the incentives for them to stay.
I want Oklahoma to be the state that teachers move to for higher pay. Part of treating our teachers like professionals is paying them like professionals.
As governor, I will increase teacher pay in Oklahoma beyond the regional average by the third year of my administration.

Voted YES on requiring states to test students.

No Child Left Behind Act of 2001: Vote to pass a bill that would authorize $22.8 billion in education funding, a 29 percent increase from fiscal 2001. The bill would require states to test students to track progress.

Voted YES on vouchers for private & parochial schools.

Vote to pass a bill to allow states to use certain federal funds designated for elementary and secondary education to provide scholarships, or vouchers, to low-income families to send their children to private schools, including religious schools.

Supports a Constitutional Amendment for school prayer.

Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools or other public institutions. No person shall be required by the United States or by any State to participate in prayer . Neither the United States nor any State shall compose the words of any prayer to be said in public schools.

H. J. RES. 78 (1997):

To secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience: Neither the United States nor any State shall establish any official religion, but the people's right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, or traditions on public property, including
schools, shall not be infringed. Neither the United States nor any State shall require any person to join in prayer or other religious activity, prescribe school prayers, discriminate against religion, or deny equal access to a benefit on account of religion.